Portugal gets its first field guide to freshwater terrapins

The Palombar association has published Portugal's first field guide entirely dedicated to cágados, freshwater turtles found in the country's rivers and lakes. Of the 11 species present, only two are native, including the endangered European pond turtle; the other nine are exotic species released into the wild, most now invasive. The free, 50-plus-page online guide describes each species, offers a comparison table and covers habitats, threats and their ecological role, such as controlling mosquito larvae. It grew out of the 18-month Water Bridges project, which engaged senior communities in the Douro International Natural Park.